Awning shutter



Feb. 24, 1953 v. PARSSON 2,629,145

AWNING SHUTTER Filed Feb. 8, 1949 INVENTOR LEROY V. PARSSON ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 24, 1953 AWNING SHUTTER Leroy V. Parsson, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The F. C. Russell Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 8, 1949, Serial No. 75,249

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to awnings or sun shades for use over building openings and more particularly to metal awnings of the type having a plurality of movable louvers mounted for turning movement.

It is one of the principal objects of the invention to provide an improved frame structure in an awning of the character mentioned. Preferentially, the frame is constructed of sheet metal sections including flanged cross members contoured to facilitate assembly, improve appearance, and provide maximum strength with minimum weight. 7

Another object is to provide a mounting arrangement for an awning of the character described wherein a sheet metal cross member of the awning frame is interlocked with a metal member attachable to a building for mounting the awning. As a desirable feature of this phase of the invention, so that the awning can be swung to and from the building, the awning cross member and the mounting member or support are so interlocked as to permit relative turning or hinging about a horizontal axis. To facilitate mounting of the awning on a building, and also seasonal demounting if such is desired, the interlocking pivotal connection between the awning frame member and the mounting member is obtained without the use of pins or pivot bars, the parts being separable by relative longitudinal sliding or, when the awning is in closed position, by relative vertical movement.

Another object is to provide an awning having a frame construction of increased strength and rigidity that includes sheet metal cross members angularly disposed with respect to one another, the members having overlapped edge flanges. The overlapped edge flanges are preferably disposed at or adjacent the apex of the angle between the members, providing for mutual reinforcement and resulting in a structure having improved resistance against impacts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a generally improved awning structure simple in design and construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. These and other objects. residing in certain details of construction and arrangements of parts, appear in the following detailed description of a suitable embodiment of the invention, this description being made in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification. Like parts throughout the several views of the drawings are indicated by the same numerals of reference. r i

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view cf the awning showing $11 Same mounted over a window of a conventional building or dwelling, the portions of the building beyond the window frame being broken away and removed, and the view being foreshortened since the awning may be of any desired length;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the building of Fig. 1, parts, being broken away and removed, the awning being shown in side elevation partly in section and with parts broken away and removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken substantially along the line indicated at 33 of Fig. l and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line indicated at 4--4 of Fig. 1 and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line indicated at 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a sectionaldetail, similar to the up er portion of Fig. 3, showing the awning closed against the building.

The awning of the present invention is designed with particular reference to economical manufacture by relatively large scale production methods out of relatively thin sheet metal stock.

Particular attention has been directed to the provision of structural shapes for the frame cross members and their relative positions and locations in the structure to give maximum economy with adequate strength. Any suitable sheet metal or similar material can be employed although sheet aluminum from fourteen to twenty-two gauge, preferably about eighteen gauge is considered satisfactory. The various metal sections for the various frame members and louvers are formed by the conventional bending, rolling, and slitting operations customarily used in the sheet metal art.

The awning proper is a generally flat structure-and comprises a rectangular frame of spaced parallel side members I and 2 and top and bottom cross members 3 and 4. Desirably the cross structure at the bottom of the frame includes, in combination with the cross member 4, an auxiliary cross member 5 whichmay have the general shape and configuration of each of the movable-louvers or slats 6 comprising the major portion of the surface area of the awning.

The upper cross member 3 comprises longitudinallyextending flat portions l0 and II disposed in ofiset planes, preferably parallel, and joined throughout their lengths by angularly disposed integral connection portion l2. The planes of the flat portions 10 and II are each oblique or angularly disposed relative to the general plane ofthe awning as the plane of the-connecting portion l2. This oblique arrangement of the several parts of the cross member relative to the plane of the awning frame provides greater strength and resistance to distortion of the frame than other arrangements. Each of the cross memberlportionsll I] and. II isformed at its ends with integral angularly disposed depending flanges I4 and I5 respectively, which are individually secured to the frame side memhers I and 2 as by welding or, preferably, by means of rivets I6.

Along the upper edge ofthecrossmember II is a downturned angularly. disposed flange portion I'I having a reversely bent edge I8 providing a reversely bent hook extending substantially the full width of the awning for=hanging* the latter on a mounting member or support 20. This mounting member, formed of a flat sheet metal strip, is secured as by screws I9 in horizontal position flatwise against top frame member ZI of building 22. The bottom edge ofthe mounting member isformed with a reversely' bent integral flange 23 providing a longitudinally extending channel 24 which opens upwardly and interlockingly receives the hookfl'ange ll of the awning frame cross'member.

The upwardly directedportionof'the'flange 23, forming one side of the'channel 24; has an inturned edge portion 25 which is received within the recess formed by the hook flange I! of the frame cross member 3. This interlocking of the reversely bent flanges along the edges of the frame top member and the supportormountingmember not only provides for support'of the awning on the mounting member; but also'prevents vertical separationof the parts such asmight otherwise occur under the influence of the. force" exerted on the awning'by an up-draft offair. In this'connection it isto'be observed that opening 26 into the channel 24 is narrower than the projection of the hook forming edge I8 of the reversely turned flange I? on the top'cross'member. Thus when the awning is in the open position, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the flange edgeportion I8 acts as a key, extending into the-recess under the inturned edge portion 25 of the support member flange and locking the parts together by preventing vertical separation.

When the awning is positioned flatwise against the Window opening, asin assembly or in closing the awning, the top cross member'3 swings downwardly about the hinge axis alongthe interlocking flanges, moving the locking edge [8 of the frame member hook flange'toan oblique position such as illustrated in Fig. 6: When the locking edge It is thus obliquely disposed relative to the support member 20 itseffective or'projected width is less than that of the channel opening 26, permitting the interlocking part's to'be separated or assembled as desired; Thus vertical separa tion (or assembly) is feasible when the shutter-is positioned flatwise against'or parallel to'the building face. In such position the possibility 'of a strong force being exerted on the awning as by an up-draft of air, isminimized;

The upper inside corner of each" of the side frame members I and'Z is relieved or' cut away along an oblique line indicated at 28-, this line intersecting the plane'of the flat portion I I' of the top cross member intermediate the edges of the latter. This relieving of'theupper-corners of the frame-members leave's the ends of'theeross member hook flanges I'I unobstructed, permitting the awning to be assembled" on" the support member 26' by longitudinally sliding the parts together from either end. This reliefof" each sideframe member" permits the hook flange I 'I along the upper edge of th cross member 3 to be-positioned in the space between the p'arallelplanes defined by the front edges 38 and the rear edges 3I of the sideframe members I and-2. Accordingly, when the awning is moved downwardly to'closed position against the frame surrounding the window opening of the building, the rear edges of the side frame members I and 2 abut vertical- Window frame members 32 along the sides of the window openingproviding a. substantially weather tight seal betweenv the awning and the window frame.

At the bottom of the awning frame the cross member 4, comprising longitudinally extending flat portions 35-and 35, is positioned so that each of the flat portions is disposed at an acute or oblique angle with respect to the general plane of the awning. The cross member flat body portions 35 and 36 are preferably disposed in parallel planes and maybe coplanar, as illustrated. Integral connecting portions 31 join the flat portions of the cross member and are angularly disposed relative to the latter.

The ends of each of the cross member flat portions'35'and 36 are formed with integral angularly disposed attaching flanges 38 and 39 which are secured as by bolts to theside members I and 2. Along the'upper edge of the-cross member flat portion 35- is an integral reversely turned flange portion 42 which extends outwardly and is received within the angle between a flat body portion of the auxiliary cross member 5 and a downturned flange portion 44 along the lower edge of the flat portion 43.

The-*auxiliary-cross member 5 comprises longitudinallyextending offset.flat'portions, one of which may be'the flat portion 43, another'beingaflatportion 45 having an upturned flange 46 along its upawning-frame the cross member 4 and the auxiliary cross member 5-comprise a composite cross member of obliquely disposed parts having overlapped flanged edges. The overlapped edges serve as a water shedand also provide reinforcement for one'another against excessive deformation upon impact by reason of the relative oblique positions of their parts. The lower edge of the cross member portion 46 may be straight-or, if desired, formed with ornamental scallops 58.

The louvers 6 are formed of strip stock material like that employed for the auxiliary bottom cross member 5, corresponding parts being indicated by the same reference numerals. The end flanges 41 of the-louvers are pivotally received on shouldered rivets 5I secured in offset portions of the-side framemembers I and 2. These offset portions extend longitudinally of the frame members, the cross sectional-shape of the side frame member I, uniform along its length, being illustrated in Fig. 5. The louver supporting offset portion is indicated at 52. The'frame member 2 is of the same'shape as the frame member I. The pivot rivets 5| are arranged so that the several louvers turn about spaced substantially parallel axes between open position and'the closed position illsutrated' in the drawings. When closed, the edge flanges 44' and 46 of adjacent louvers overlap one another to provide substantially weather tight seals, the edges of the fianges'abutting against the flat portions of the adjacent louvers.

The louvers are interconnected at their ends by bars, one of which is indicated at 53; These bars are pivotally cononected to the louver flanges 4T .byshouldered rivets 54 that the louvers turn between open and closed positions in unison. Such turning of the louvers is eifected by an operating device such as a hand wheel or hand lever 55 located inside the building and secured on the inner end of a rod or shaft 56 which extends through the wall and carries an arm on its outer end. The end of this arm is pivotally connected to an upwardly extending rod or link 59. the upper end of the link being pivotally connected to a flanged arm 59 fastened by bolts 60 to flat portion 55 of the topmost louver.

Turning of the hand wheel 5% inside the building swings the arm 51 on the remote end of the shaft 56 to shift the operating link 58 up or down, this movement opening and closing the louvers as desired. Suitable means is provided for holding the hand wheel 55 in. any desired adjusted position. For example, an inner guide plate 62 may be provided for the operating shaft 5%, the guide plate being secured against the inside of the wall of the building and embracing the shaft and having a frictional fit therewith. The hand. wheel 55 may be formed with notches or flutes which fit matching notches or flutes in the guide plate 62 or the parts may be frictionally restrained against free turning.

To support the awning in its open position, illustrated in Fig. 2, collapsible link braces are used between the awning and the building. Such braces, one at each end of the awning, each comprises link arms 64 and 65 pivotally connected together at 68. The links are also pivotally connected to brackets 6t and 6'! attached respectively to the awning side frames and the window frame members 32. One end of the arm 55 extends beyond the center pivotal connection 68 and carries a lateral detent 69 engageable with the arm 64 to limit downward movement of the arms.

When it is desired to close the awning, the link braces 64-455 are collapsed and the awning swung against the window frame about the pivot axis between the top cross member 3 and the support member 20. The rear edges ill of the side frames l and 2 abut against the window side frame members 32 along substantially the entire height of the closed awning. The pivot axis of the awning on the support member 28, which axis substantially coincides with the edge of inturned flange portions 25, is offset or spaced outwardly from the face of the building and the hook flange I! of the top cross member is located between the planes of the front and rear edges of the awning side frames to permit the entire length of the side frame edges 3! to contact the building or window frame. In closed position the awning thus serves as a shutter, substantiall sealing off the window opening. Suitable latches or looking devices, not shown, may be employed to retain the awning in closed position.

In addition to its function as a pivotal. support for the awning, the mounting member 20 also serves as a weather seal. The channel or trough 24 receives rain water that runs down the face of the building and carries ofi such water to the sides of the window, thus preventing such water from entering underneath the awning.

In accordance with the patent statutes. the principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it bein understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is iven merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An awning assembly comprising a frame of spaced side members and cross members connecting the side members, louvers carried by the frame, and means for hanging the awning on a vertical wall of a building over an opening in the latter for swinging movement about horizontal axis between an open position in which the frame is oblique to the wall and a closed position in which the frame is substantially vertical, one of the cross members having a fiat portion inclined at an oblique angle to the wall of the building when the awnin is in closed position, integral flange means along the upper edge of said flat portion, the flange means being inclined downwardly and toward the building from said edge of the cross member flat portion, the hanging means including a member receivable fiatwise against a building for attachment thereto, said last mentioned member having integral upturned flange means formed with a free edge receivable in the angle between the fiat portion and the integral flange means of the cross member, the upturned flange means of the hanging member comprising a horizontal trough for receiving run ofi water from both the integral flange means of the cross member and the wall of a building to which the awning assembly is attached.

2. In combination in an awning having spaced side members and a plurality of louvers supported between the side members, a sheet metal stepped cross member also extending between the side members, said cross member comprising relatively wide flat portions offset from one another in substantially parallel planes and note grally joined by a relatively narrow fiat portion 'angularly disposed with respect to each of the wide portions, an integral angularly disposed flange on each end of each of the wide portions, at each end said flanges being in substantially a common plane and disposed fiatwise against the side members, a plurality of fasteners at each end of the cross member, the fasteners at each end extending through the side members and flanges at spaced points to secure the parts tog-ether, and means having connection with the cross member for hanging the awning on a building with the fianges of the cross member disposed substantially in vertical planes so that the awning weight is carried in shear by the fasteners.

3. In combination in an awning structure, a plurality of louvers, frame means for supporting the louvers in predetermined relative posi tions, said supporting frame means including an elongated metal cross frame member, an elongated metal support member to be secured against the outside of a building, and interlocking flange means extending along the length of the cross frame member and along the length of the metal support member, said flange means including a generally downwardly directed flange onand extending throughout substantially the entire length of the cross frame member and a generally upwardly directed flange on and ex tending throughout substantially the entire length of the metal support member, said metal support member and the upwardly directed flange thereon defining a water conducting channel opening upwardly along the length of the support member to receive water running over the support member, the downwardly directed flange on the cross frame member being received within the channel in spaced relation to the T walls of 1 the: channel. to. provide; along. the length of the channel an entrypassageof substantially the same depth. as the channel for water flowing downwardly over-the support memberto enter into the-channelbetween-the support member and the cross memberflange and to flow 1011':- gitudinallyin the channel beneath. the cross member flange.

4. In combination in an awning having movable louvers, side rails for supporting the louvers, a cross member extending between and secured at its ends to the-upper ends of the side rails, an elongated metal support member to be secured against the outside-of a building, and interlocking reversely bent flange means integrally formed along the length of the cross member and themetal support member, said flange means including-a generally downwardly and inwardly directed flange on and extending throughout substantially the entire length of the cross memher and agenerally upwardly and outwardly di rected flange on andextending throughout substantially the entire length of the metal support member, said metal support member and the upwardly directed flange thereon defining awater conducting channel opening upwardly along the length of the support member to receive water running down over the support member, the downwardly directed flange on the cross member being received in and, throughout its. width wholly spaced from thewalls of'the channel defined by the metal support member and the flange on the latter to provide clearance for water flowing downwardly into. the channel between the support. member and the cross member flange, and. the upwardly directed flange on the support member-having a free edge received supportingly against the underside of the cross member.

5. In combination in a. shutter awning construction, a thin metal support member for attachment flatwise against a building, means on the support member providing an upwardly opening water conducting channel trough having an inturned side element terminating in an upwardly directed free edge, a shutter assembly including a thin sheet metal top cross member having an angularly disposed flange along one edge received in the channel trough of the support member, the free edge of the trough side element being disposed in bearing relation against the underside of the cross member and receive-:1 in the angle between the cross member and the flange on the latter to locate the shutter assembly relative to the support member, and the cross member flange including. a reversely bent portion providing with the inturned'trough side an interlock resistant to vertical separation of the shutter assembly from the support member, the cross member flange and the reversely bent portion of the latter being clear of the support member and the side element of the latter to provide a substantially continuous water admitting passage opening into the channel trough along substantially the entire length of the support member.

6. In combination in an awning having spaced side members anda plurality of louvers supported between the side members for turning movement, a stepped sheet metal cross member extending between the side members, said cross member having flat' portions offset from one another in' different planes and an integral connecting portion angularly disposed to the flat portions, ,theconnecting portion joining the flat portions-along. the length of the cross member, integral angula-rly, disposed flanges on. the ends of each of the flat portions, the several flanges oneach end of the cross member being disposed in substantially a common plane, and means at eachend. of the cross member individually securing a plurality of the end flanges to spaced points of the respective side members at each end of the cross member to prevent turning of each end of the cross member relative to the side member to which it is-secured.

'7. vIn combination in an'awning having-spaced side members and a: plurality of louvers supported between the side members for turning movement, a steppedsheet metal cross member having flat integral portions ofiset from one another and disposed in substantially parallel planes, said cross member portions each having integral angularly disposed flanges at the ends of the cross member, the severalflanges on each end of the cross member being disposed in substantially a common plane, means for individually securing a plurality of said flanges to spaced. points of the respective side members at each end of the cross member to prevent turning of the cross member relative to the side members, and flange means on one of the flat cross member portions for attaching the awning. to a building.

8. In combinationin an awning having spaced side members and a plurality of louvers supported between the side members, a sheet metal bottom cross member extending between the side members, the cross member having angularly disposed integral flanges along its upper edge and at its ends, the flanges at each end being in a common plane. and disposed flatwise against the side members, means rigidly securing the end flanges ateach end of. the cross member to spaced points of the respective side members, means rigidly securing each end of one of the louvers to spaced points of each of the respective side members, other louvers being movable relative to the side members, said rigidly secured louver having a flange along: one edge overlapping the edge flange of thecross member and having a flange along another edge disposed in overlapping relation to anotherv relatively movable louver, the meansfor securing the end flanges of the cross member to the side members at each endv of the cross. member being disposed along one line, and the means for securing the ends of said one rigidly secured louver at each end of the latter being disposed along another line intersecting said first line, whereby the bottom cross member and the one rigid louver cooperate in resisting relative movement of the side members in different planes.

LEROY V. PARSSON.

REFERENCES CITED The. following references are of record in the file of this. patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 157,295 Snider Feb. 14, 1950 1,813,017 4 Bond July 7, 1931 2,225,011 Jones Dec. 17, 1940 2,233,315 Jones Feb. 25, 1941 2,251,572 Kuhn et al. Aug 5, 1941 2,442,891 Harrison et a1. June 8, 1948 2,457,574 Lewis Dec. 28, 1948 

